THE ABSENT

CRIPPLED HEARTS

SOLIDARITY WITH THE FLESH EATING MOSAIC AND OTHER POEMS by Raj Dronamraju

Out Now

THE RETURN OF THE MAGNIFICENT NINNY AND OTHER POEMS by Raj Dronamraju

My first book of poetry available through Amazon and other online booksellers www.rajbooks.com

Friday, January 23, 2015

DIANA AND MARVIN BY DIANA ROSS AND MARVIN GAYE AND FOR WOMEN ONLY BY BERGEN WHITE

Two records I’ve been listening
to lately....

DIANA AND MARVIN by Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye

This is a collaboration
record between Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye. I recall reading in one of Gaye’s
biographies a few anecdotes about the recording of this record. Neither Ross
nor Gaye wanted to do this album as both were at the peak of their solo
popularity in the early 1970’s but had their arms twisted by Motown. They also
didn’t get along well (The cover photo is them facing away from each other LOL)
– The first day they were to record, Ross (who was pregnant at the time)
walked into the studio to find Gaye smoking reefer. She refused to record
unless he stopped. Also Ross did not like some of the songs Gaye had chosen to
record and told him so. Gaye basically stopped speaking to her. They ended up
recording all their parts separately when the other wasn’t around due to this
and their touring schedules and Ross’s pregnancy. Still, it’s a very enjoyable
record. These aren’t really duets more like two great singers going toe to toe,
coming at each other like boxers, most of the accompanying music is not stodgy
and overdone but urgent and fresh sounding with truly fine string
arrangements....And Ross was wrong about the songs. My personal favorites are
the two lifted from Philadelphia Soul sound architect Thom Bell “You Are
Everything” and “Stop, Look, Listen”(To Your Heart) . “Everything” in
particular is turned into a pumping exercise of wills with a slightly speeded
up arrangement (compared to The Stylistics original). Other great tunes – You’re
a Special Part of Me, Just Say, Just Say, My Mistake (Was to Love You) (really
powerful back and forth from Ross and Gaye on that last one) also the four
extra tunes added to the CD reissue are all quality – Too bad they weren’t on
the original vinyl.

FOR WOMEN ONLY by Bergen White

Bergen White primarily worked
as an arranger and producer but he made this one full length record in 1969 and
what a record it is! Really huge
sunshine pop orchestral arrangements, dramatic strings galore, harpsichords and
fingerpicked guitars, multitracked effortless vocals - so beautiful it is hard
to take in at once. White’s viewpoint is
that of an observer of romance and women, one who is witnessing not participating which lends this
record an unearthly aura like Scott Walker (White is a much better singer
though). This is really one of the great
(largely) unknown masterpieces of modern music.